Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War by Susan Southard

Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War by Susan Southard

Author:Susan Southard [Southard, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-07-27T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER 7

AFTERLIFE

Twenty-one-year-old Mizuta Hisako had studied hard to complete her training as a Nagasaki tour bus guide—and out of a pool of twenty applicants, she was thrilled to be one of only seven to be hired. Japan’s economic boom of the late 1950s had begun to propel the nation out of its postwar collapse, and in Nagasaki, increased foreign trade and the thriving shipbuilding industry had helped the local economy surge. International hotels and restaurants crowded the downtown area, many with signage in both Japanese and English. Television towers rose high above Mount Inasa, and simple eight- and nine-story apartment and office buildings dotted the cityscape. In winter, remembered one of the ABCC’s leading geneticists, William J. Schull, “Nagasaki’s major shopping area rang with the sounds of Christmas carols, and images of Santa and his elfin helpers were to be found in both of the department stores.”

As Nagasaki emerged as a modern metropolis, tourists began to discover the city. At Nagasaki Peace Park, just north of the hypocenter area, peace monuments donated by nations throughout the world began arriving and were placed around the park’s perimeter, and visitors were often greeted by a brass band. Near the giant Peace Statue, survivors who otherwise could not work due to paralysis, crippling injuries, or illness operated the popular “hibakusha store,” selling atomic bomb souvenirs, handmade Mother Mary dolls, Japanese noodles, and drinks.

Hisako’s uniform was ready, and she was just about to start her new job when one of her superiors at the city transportation office approached her. He suggested that she meet a man named Wada who worked for the same agency in the streetcar division. He had also approached Wada. “Mr. Wada,” the man had said, “Mizuta-san is a nice girl. Why don’t you marry her?” Hisako told the man that she was working and had no desire to get married yet, but he insisted that she at least allow the introduction.

In Japan, marriage and children were societal expectations, key milestones in a young man’s or woman’s successful transition to adulthood. Most marriages were arranged through omiai—formal interviews between the potential bride and groom, often accompanied by their parents. These meetings were arranged by an older relative, a senior employee at work, or an elder in the families’ social networks who could vouch for both parties and praise their virtues as good marital candidates. Families accepted or rejected prospective marriage partners based on various criteria, including social standing, appearance, economic stability, health, and the ability to bear healthy children.

Hibakusha—even those with economic and social status and with no visible injuries or illness—were routinely rejected as marriage partners because of widespread fears about radiation-related illnesses and possible genetic effects on children. “A lot of rumors circulated back then that hibakusha were carriers of serious diseases,” Wada recalled, “or that if two survivors got married, they would have disabled children.” Consequently, countless survivors hid their survivor status prior to marriage; some also made sure their spouses never found out. One woman kept her



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